Sen. Graham seriously considering '04 presidential bid

KEN THOMASAssociated Press Writer

Published Tuesday, December 24, 2002

MIAMI -- Sen. Bob Graham, a leading Democratic voice in the war on terror, said Monday he is seriously considering a run for the White House in 2004, citing dissatisfaction with President Bush's economic and military leadership.

Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman, meanwhile, said Monday during a trip to the West Bank that he "probably will" seek the Democratic nomination.

Graham, a 16-year senator who served as Florida's governor from 1978 to 1986, has raised his profile in recent months as the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a top member of a joint committee investigating the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"I'm thinking seriously about options, including the option of running for president," Graham, 66, told reporters. "This is a very difficult time for America. We're facing unprecedented problems in terms of our domestic economy, in terms of our international relations, particularly the war on terrorism and Iraq."

He added: "I'm not satisfied with the direction we are being led today."

Two early favorites of Democrats, former Vice President Al Gore and New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, have said they will not run.

Vermont Gov. Howard Dean is running, and other Democrats considering campaigns include Lieberman, Sens. Tom Daschle of South Dakota, John Edwards of North Carolina and John Kerry of Massachusetts, and Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt.

Graham was among the finalists to become Gore's 2000 running mate before Lieberman's selection.

Graham is the only one of the potential Democratic nominees who voted against a resolution giving Bush the authority to use force to disarm Iraq.

Graham supported the 1991 resolution to use force in Iraq. But he said the resolution approved in October failed to give the president authority to attack Hezbollah and other terror groups and increased the potential for more attacks in the United States.

"We still haven't captured Osama bin Laden. We haven't taken the war against terrorism to the most competent terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, which represent the greatest threat against the United States," Graham said Monday.

David Epstein, a Columbia University political scientist, said Graham's stance on Iraq and the war on terror could set him apart. "If the map looks anything like it does now, it could help him a lot," Epstein said.

Graham's announcement surprised many Democratic activists, but many said he could be a formidable candidate, given his experience and residency in a key state.

"He has shown that he's a great campaigner and an institution in Florida politics and he should certainly be taken very seriously," said Miami lawyer Chris Korge, a top Democratic fund-raiser.